The best (real) compact cameras for Street Photography in 2022
When it comes to Street Photography we ask cameras that are lightweight and portable, allowing to adjust settings in a easy way to make advanced photography, counting with a fast lens and effective autofocus. In this sense, nothing beats a compact. I mean: a real compact camera.
Please note: this post was born from the realization that after so many years I no longer have a really compact camera, and in the future I will have to buy one. At the end of this post I will point out the camera I think to buy.
When I say compact camera I mean a camera small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. For this reason I have kept out of this post all those cameras that are only relatively compact, but not small enough to satisfy this need to have a camera that is good enough to let you work ideally (that's why smartphones are discarded) as a photographer but at the same time they guarantee that they can make it disappear without even having to carry a small bag.
Another consideration is that I preferred to propose the most current cameras, but many of these are a line of cameras that have existed for some time and for budget reasons we can also consider the older models, available on the second-hand market.
Now I can start…
1- Ricoh GR III
The queen of compact cameras. Ricoh has a long tradition of making cameras ideal for street photography and in recent years this has become even more evident. Coming from the early GRD series which boasted a smaller sensor than the current APS-C but was still slightly larger than the other compacts, Ricoh has become a cult for street photographers.
My story with Ricoh. I owned a Ricoh GRD IV for 4 years and I worked 2 days with a with a prototype of the first version of the GR series. All over these years without a Ricoh camera I am missing the extraordinary quality that Ricoh offers.
To testify that Ricoh considers street photographers the target to which refers mainly, there is also a Ricoh GR III Street Edition. It is more expensive but you could consider it if you want to make you a particular gift.
2- Ricoh GR III X
With this proposal released in the last months of 2021 Ricoh claims to be an attentive brand and that listens to photographers as I was able to affirm in a recent post that you can read by clicking here.
Although many street photographers may not be comfortable with a 40mm equivalent lens (to photograph on the street is more challenging) there are photographers like me that consider this lens the favorite one.
The X edition allows you to have a camera to make Street Photography and portraits. If you are a reader of this blog you know how i consider times are changed from the social point of view and a 35mm/40mm focal lenght helps a lot in these times where is recommended to respect the healthy distance. The GR III X is recommended to the old school street photographers.
3- Canon G7X Mark III Powershot
Even if we are street photographers, sometimes it can be considered a compact to have a handyman to always carry with us and therefore for someone (not for me in any case) a fixed focal lens is not ideal.
The G7 is also a well respected line that is compact and meets the needs of those who want a camera that you can put in your jacket or cargo pants pocket. The pros are the camera counts with a EOS menu system that will result familiar for the Canon owners and that is a camera with stronger specs for video than other compact cameras.
4- Sony RX100 VII
Sony proposes a 1-inch sensor in a compact, metal body with the controls that make ideal for advanced photographers so may appeal to street photographers. It is a pricey camera, so you have to consider it.
5- Panasonic Lumix LX100 II
Panasonic is is a guarantee of value for the advanced compacts. In the past i owned a LX3 and it was a great compact camera. If you look for a street photography compact camera this can be a very good choice.
6- Leica D-Lux 7
The Leica D-Lux 7 is a supercharged Panasonic LX100 II. Leica counts with a better design and clearly you enter in the Leica world that can be a big point to consider.
7- Panasonic LUMIX LX10
Another recommended camera from Panasonic is this LX10. This is the oldest camera that I propose here, released in 2016.
Some notes
If you don't want to spend a fortune on a compact camera, I understand you. and for this reason I advise you to look at the deposits in stock that you can still find of old models of the series that is best for you. Even in the guaranteed second-hand market you can find some good deals.
For 130 dollars here I can find a used Leica D-Lux, for example.
And the compact camera I choose is...
Ricoh GR III X
It really feels like Ricoh has made the ideal camera for me. I could make a great work with that camera. If in any case Ricoh is attractive, I prefer the 40mm version because is my favorite focal lenght.
I still don't know if and when I will take it. In any case I need a digital compact camera. The issue is that we in Mexico is not easy to find Ricoh cameras. I appeal to Ricoh to provide for greater distribution here. I am convinced that guaranteeing a presence here would be a great marketing asset for the brand.
